Brow Threading 101: Experts Explain the Popular Shaping Technique (2025)

Home Makeup Eyebrows

Learn all about the precise, centuries-old technique.

By Lindy Segal ·

Brow Threading 101: Experts Explain the Popular Shaping Technique (1)

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Brows are personal, as is thebrow treatmentyou choose. Waxing is quick but can be painful (and harder to do onthin brows). Plucking takes a bit more time but gives a more bespoke look. Then there’s threading, the precise, centuries-old technique that’s just as common—if not more so—in salons today.

“Eyebrow threading is a method of hair removal that originated in Asia and the Middle East and has become popular worldwide,” explains Constance Mack Latham, brow expert and owner ofMaven Estheticsin Chicago.

If you’ve ever seen threading in action, you know that it almost works like magic; threaders are incredibly skilled at what they do, pulling out each brow hair individually using—you guessed it—a thread. It can be a great option for those looking for a product-free, personalized experience for eyebrows or other unwanted facial hair (though beware: It can hurt).

Ahead, we’re breaking down everything there is to know about threading, according to Mack Latham and Sadia Brangan, the general manager atThread Salonin New York.

Featured experts

  • Constance Mack Latham is a brow expert and the owner of Maven Esthetics in Chicago
  • Sadia Brangan is the general manager at Thread Salon in New York

What is eyebrow threading?

In a bit more detail: “A thin cotton or polyester thread is doubled, twisted and then rolled over unwanted hair, plucking the hair from the follicle,” explains Latham. It may sound intricate—and it is—but seasoned threaders are shockingly fast at this process, removing hairs in just seconds.

Although threading is most often associated with brow grooming, it can also be done on other facial hair, such as a mustache.

How long does threading last?

Both experts say that the effects of threading can last from two to four weeks. That being said, “The duration of the results from eyebrow threading can vary from person to person,” says Latham.

What are the benefits of threading?

Many clients like threading as the process is “natural” and product-free. According to Latham, “Threading is relatively gentle on the skin and suitable for people with sensitive skin or those using skin-care products that may not be compatible with waxing.”

Threading is also more precise than waxing and won’t risk removing the outer layer of your skin. “It pulls from the root—same as waxing—however, you can get more hairs with threading than waxing with no harm to the skin,” says Brangan. It’s also different from tweezing, which the expert calls “hit or miss,” as the process can lead to ingrown hairs.

Another benefit is the short amount of time threading takes. “Brows tend to take 10-15 minutes,” shares Brangan, “Full-face threading is about 30-40 minutes in general.”

What are the disadvantages of threading?

It may hurt less than waxing but don’t expect threading to be pain-free. “Threading can be uncomfortable for some individuals, especially if they have a low tolerance for pain or are sensitive around the eyebrow area,” says Latham. “However, many people find the discomfort manageable and worth the results.”

As with any brow treatment, it’s also important to go to a trusted, licensed expert. “The technique is very intricate, so choosing an artist that understands the technique along with knowing just how much to thread avoids compromising the fullness of the brow,” says Latham.

How much does threading cost?

Brangan notes that threading “tends to be cheaper because you do not need extra supplies to do the service.” Still, the final tally will depend on your brow artist, city and location. “At my studio, Maven Esthetics, the cost of threading is kept the same as waxing, which varies from $30-$50 depending on the area,” says Latham.

What after care is involved in threading?

Latham does recommend a few steps “to help maintain the results and minimize potential irritation or discomfort,” including avoiding touching and rubbing the area immediately after. FYI: That includes applying makeup for a few hours!

You’ll also want to skip exfoliation in your skin-care routine, at least for the first couple of days after threading, to further prevent irritation. Finally—and as always—remember to use SPF. “Direct sun exposure can irritate freshly threaded skin, so it’s advisable to avoid prolonged sun exposure or use sunscreen if going outside,” says Latham.

At Thread, Brangan and her team also offer aloe and a temple massage to clients. She adds that those with sensitive skin may want to skip the aloe altogether, adding that “just allowing your skin to breathe, no makeup, no creams or lotions is the best.”

Finally,a brow product or twowill help maintain your look. Otherwise, you’re good to go until your next appointment.

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Brow Threading 101: Experts Explain the Popular Shaping Technique (2025)

FAQs

What is the technique of threading eyebrows? ›

Threading is an ancient Eastern method of removing unwanted facial and eyebrow hair by a technique whereby one end of a cotton thread is held in the mouth of the technician and the other end looped around individual hair shafts, which are then pulled out. This is repeated in quick, successive movements.

What is eyebrow shaping and threading? ›

Threading has become trendy in the eyebrow hair removal world, though this technique isn't new at all. The process works by quickly rolling each hair between two long, twisted threads. Each hair is ripped out in a similar way to plucking, but much faster (and without the use of tweezers).

What are the three methods of threading? ›

There are different techniques for threading: the hand method, mouth method, and neck method. Each technique has advantages and disadvantages; however, the mouth method is the fastest and most precise. Threading allows for a more defined and precise shape and can create better definition for eyebrows.

How do you shape eyebrows with thread for beginners? ›

Place the twisted part of the loop over the part of the eyebrow you want to thread. Locate the hair that needs to be removed and position the twist of the loop against that hair. Also, place the twist of the loop against the direction of hair growth in order to prevent ingrown hairs from developing in your brows.

What is eyebrow shaping called? ›

Eyebrow threading is a practice of shaping the eyebrows. Many dermatological complications have been briefly mentioned in various publications.

How to properly shape eyebrows? ›

Using a clean spoolie, brush the brows up and trim any excess hairs poking up. Then, brush the hairs downward and trim any super-long strays using brow shaping scissors. After you've trimmed up, use tweezers to nix any hairs that fall outside your brow map. Then, fill in with brow pencil or powder for a polished look.

What does eyebrow shaping involve? ›

Brow shaping is the process of altering or reshaping the eyebrows. This can be done by waxing, threading, plucking, or using a razor to remove unwanted hair. Sometimes eyebrows can become unruly and grow in all different directions. This can make your face look messy and less attractive.

What is better than eyebrow threading? ›

The Pros. 'Waxing is instant, provides good results and is widely available,' says Riley. 'It is suited for clients that find threading and tweezing very painful. The hairs can grow back softer and finer with regular usage.

What is the point of eyebrow threading? ›

Threading can remove one clean line of hair at once, allowing the threading artist to perfectly shape the eyebrows. Unlike waxing, a threading artist has a perfect view of what he or she is doing at all times. Since there are no other materials besides the thread, there is nothing to obstruct their vision.

What is the main thread method? ›

For each program, a Main thread is created by JVM(Java Virtual Machine). The “Main” thread first verifies the existence of the main() method, and then it initializes the class. Note that from JDK 6, main() method is mandatory in a standalone java application.

What are the three basic types of threads? ›

There are different types of threads found, and some main types of threads are parallel threads, including BSPP, UN/UNF, and metric parallel. The second type of thread is tapered threads in which metric tapered, BSPT, and NPT thread/NPTF thread are included.

What are the two main methods in which threads can be implemented? ›

Different parts of the program that are operating at the same time are called “threads” and the code that started executing first, starting these other processes, is typically known as the “main thread.” The two ways that threads can be implemented in Java are either with classes or with interfaces.

Is eyebrow shaping the same as threading? ›

Both waxing and threading are good for brows but for a more accurate shape, eyebrow waxing is preferred. The professional can create cleaner lines with the wax giving you the desired shape. It is also a better option for bushier brows.

What is the thread method eyebrows? ›

Eyebrow threading is using a piece of thread to remove hair from the brow area to shape your brows. The hair is removed from the follicle, but it doesn't damage the skin. This hair removal method allows for eagle-eyed precision, and the thread can pull out even the smallest hairs.

What is threading method? ›

In molecular biology, protein threading, also known as fold recognition, is a method of protein modeling which is used to model those proteins which have the same fold as proteins of known structures, but do not have homologous proteins with known structure.

What is the difference between microblading and threading? ›

Threading clients need to come back every two to four weeks in order to maintain the shape and remove hairs that have grown back. Microblading clients come back once a year after their initial six to eight-week touchup. Threading removes hairs and microblading adds hair-like strokes with ink and a blade.

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